Former main leaguer Ken Suarez not too long ago handed away after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s illness, per an obituary from a Texas funeral residence. He was 80 years previous.

Initially from Tampa, Suarez was a catcher at Florida State College in Tallahassee in the course of the 1963 season, when the group went to the School World Collection. The next 12 months, Suarez was signed by the Kansas Metropolis A’s as an newbie free agent as a member of the final class of prospects to signal previous to the implementation of the MLB draft in 1965. Suarez made his large league debut for the A’s in 1966, showing in 35 video games earlier than heading again to the minor leagues. 1967 marked maybe the perfect 12 months of Suarez’s profession within the majors, as he slashed .238/.388/.413 with two residence runs in 82 journeys to the plate.

Previous to the 1968 marketing campaign, Suarez was drafted by Cleveland within the Rule 5 draft thanks partially to his connection to new supervisor Al Darkish, for whom Suarez had performed for in Kansas Metropolis. Throughout two seasons in Cleveland, Suarez slashed a decent .274/.378/.358 with extra walks (16) than strikeouts (15) in 113 journeys to the plate because the membership’s backup catcher. Suarez didn’t seem within the majors in 1970 however performed in 50 video games in 1971 earlier than being dealt to the Rangers forward of their inaugural season in Texas.

Throughout his age 30 season in 1973, Suarez turned the Rangers’ main catcher, slashing .248/.334/.299 whereas enjoying high quality protection behind the plate. That enhance in enjoying time led him to hunt a elevate from Rangers brass, and when the perimeters have been unable to achieve an settlement, Suarez turned the primary participant in Rangers historical past to ship a contract to arbitration.

That call prompted the Rangers to commerce him again to Cleveland, although Suarez finally determined to retire from skilled baseball fairly than report back to camp that spring. In all, Suarez performed elements of seven seasons within the majors, batting .227/.330/.297 throughout 785 plate appearances. Following his enjoying profession, Suarez did coloration commentary and scouting work for the Rangers.

MLBTR extends our condolences to Suarez’s household, associates, and family members.